Wetherby League: Champions Barwick-in-Elmet survive a Fred Fleetwood Cup scare

Barwick have not lost in the competition for two years but were on the ropes in the first round contest after losing their top order cheaply at Bilton’s Wetherby Road ground.

Andy Styan’s unbeaten half century rescued the innings up to 140, as Graham Hutchinson and Luke Schumann took three wickets for the hosts.

Bilton, who also fell to defeat in Division One on Saturday, were cruising with openers Schumann (31) and Alex Buteux (35) at the crease but the middle order were unable to back up the strong start and they came up short at 130-9.

Division One champions St Chad’s Broomfield (239-9) also made round two but only by the skin of their teeth in a classic against South Milford (235-9).

Chad’s required their final pair of Rob Heald and Rob Binley to reach Milford’s weighty total, which saw brothers Ben (63) and Dan (48) White in the runs. Tim Patterson recorded figures of 4-5 for Chad’s, while Ahmed Bhatti (49) and Jordan Wagner (51) scored the runs.

There were also first-round wins for Kippax Welfare, Meanwood and Church Fenton, while Long Marston and Hillam and Monk Fryston conceded to allow Shadwell and Crompark into the next round.

It remains tight at the top of Division One between Scarcroft and Kirk Deighton following the sixth round of fixtures. Both title chasers recorded six-point wins on Saturday.

Captain Rich Ward was man of the match as Deighton (171ao) went nine points clear of Bilton (138ao) at the top , scoring 52 and taking three wickets in the 43-run win. Scarcroft defended 149/9 at home to Garforth Parish Church (125ao), whose second team were rolled out for just 49 in losing to Scholes in Division Two.

Newly promoted South Milford moved up to fourth after ousting Sicklinghall for just 78, with Dan Ward collecting figures of 5-37.

Milford had a top-order wobble but reached the total with five wickets in hand.

Chad’s remain in contention if the leaders slip up following a 64-run success over Shadwell. Tim Patterson smacked 65 in a heavy total of 239-9, despite Tom Meyrick’s five-wicket haul.

Only Gareth Pegg (31) passed 30 in Shadwell’s response of 175.

Andrew Bryant’s six wickets gave Barwick a 15-run victory over Old Leodiensians, defending 179-7.

James Watford made 65 at the top of the orders for the hosts.

In Division Two, Rufforth remain on maximum points after Jim Ledgeway took 5-5 to bowl Saxton out for a sorry 51. Rufforth had been bowled out for 116 in the first knock, with fellow slow bowler Ian Cunningham taking 5-17.

St Chad’s A are five points behind Rufforth and were too strong for promoted Meanwood, as Ed Cooke (72no) and Faisal Shah (4-30) pieced together an eight-wicket win.

Ledsham (107) derailed Headingley’s title challenge in a low-scoring affair as Oli Baron’s 6-18 bowled the Leeds side out for 90.

Long Marston picked up their second win of the season in a 66-run success over Kirk Hammerton. Joe Eyles hit 49 and took three wickets to help his side defend a total of 175.

Thorner Mexborough (84-5) made light work of Sherburn Eversley (80ao) as Muhammed Ali took four wickets in a five-wicket win.